I'm glad that competing in multiple disciplines is becoming a thing again, though the faux praise for McLaren 'allowing' him to do it has been a bit much in some places, I doubt they had much of a choice if they wanted to keep Alonso in the team. It's surely a slam dunk for getting Le Mans ticked off for the triple crown too, Toyota are only racing themselves so it'd take a fairly large dollop of car trouble for Alonso to miss out.

Be interesting to see if Macca lend their other drivers out to sportscars, as has been mentioned, Norris looked pretty tasty at Daytona and racing at the sharp end in any series can surely only be a good thing?

_________________http://tsatr.mooo.comThe Sun and The Rain - The reluctant runner.

Settle down guys. Alonso helped the image of F1, because he is a current driver and more famous than others; plenty of F1 drivers have migrated to other series. It is true that they are F1 "has beens", but we still saw Kimi and Kubica doing WRC for example.

Also, it is a good point by mpls2. What does it mean an F1 ambassador? Did he carry an F1 flag with him to represent the F1 series or did he just do this by himself? I am not sure he went to the States last year with the F1's blessing, other than his own team's support (who let's face it, they'd rather see him have some fun rather than lose him, as the toys they provided him were frustrating. This sheds some light: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/13415 ... apse-fears). He wanted to get the triple crown as he mentioned.

The latest news about him competing in LeMans etc. are more him testing the waters to "what's next in life after F1" and out of boredom methinks than to represent the F1. It is a very welcome byproduct that F1 is mentioned and remembered with Alonso, but I don't think he raced in the States to promote the F1 drivers per ce.

It is a very welcome byproduct that F1 is mentioned and remembered with Alonso, but I don't think he raced in the States to promote the F1 drivers per ce.

I don't think he necessarily did either, but he did represent F1 very well in doing so. He's a top F1 driver who is visibly interested in other racing series; whether that's on purpose or not, it changes how a lot of people perceive F1 and F1 drivers. And from the F1 side of things, that he was so competitive helps make F1 drivers look good. It's a win-win, really.

It is a very welcome byproduct that F1 is mentioned and remembered with Alonso, but I don't think he raced in the States to promote the F1 drivers per ce.

I don't think he necessarily did either, but he did represent F1 very well in doing so. He's a top F1 driver who is visibly interested in other racing series; whether that's on purpose or not, it changes how a lot of people perceive F1 and F1 drivers. And from the F1 side of things, that he was so competitive helps make F1 drivers look good. It's a win-win, really.

If Macca aren't competitive and Lando is sitting pretty in F2 or there's no round that weekend then I think we'd see Norris get a go.

_________________"Clark came through at the end of the first lap so far ahead that we in the pits were convinced that the rest of the field must have been wiped out in an accident."-Eddie Dennis, describing the dominance of Jim Clark in the Lotus 49 at Spa 1967

Let us please take a step back from our small-minded nationalism? Disrespecting any nation because of a perceived shortcoming is extremely offensive.

Alonso is making these little side adventures because he wants to. There is zero pressure on him to compete in these series, his involvement is driven by his internal competitive nature. And for that I applaud Alonso.

Personally I find it satisfying that a Formula One driver understands that there is much more to life than a devalued WDC trophy. Yes, Alonso is chasing after number three. But he is also pursuing with as much vigor LeMans and Indy. Alonso understands that in Formula One, (just like Alesi) luck does matter, when and where you are in teams. Because it is the team and car, not the driver, that is instrumental in securing a title. The opportunity to win a third WDC is becoming slimmer and slimmer each year. But Indy and LeMans are wide open for a driver of his abilities.

OK, a certain post is being removed. Please, nobody else quote it while I'm editing...

Ok. I personally think it was kept civil, but I trust your decision.

Oh well, move along!

Blinky, that's exactly what I think. The 3rd WDC is becoming all the more a far fetched dream, so he is after the other series he is missing for the triple crown. Good luck to him too!

But let's not fool ourselves that this is done to promote F1; it's merely good fortune for F1 that he is a very highly rated driver and produces a lot of publicity. His skills were immediately shown in Indy, so that helped immensely to indirectly raise the profile of F1.

Formula One does not want this happening. Although personally most involved in Formula One are race fans and applaud Alonso, teams want to keep their drivers securely under control. There is also the ego part, where Formula One drivers are touted as the best. Yet when directly compared to other drivers, they suddenly seem less formidable.

Formula One does not want this happening. Although personally most involved in Formula One are race fans and applaud Alonso, teams want to keep their drivers securely under control. There is also the ego part, where Formula One drivers are touted as the best. Yet when directly compared to other drivers, they suddenly seem less formidable.

I agree mostly. But as I posted above, Macca were on the brink of collapsing if Alonso left last year. So they probably didn't oppose him a lot. Plus, it was a Honda engined car he drove, so that may have played a role